Homemade Cranberry Sauce Meatballs are a delicious appetizer for the holiday season that can even be turned into a meal with slider rolls. Flavorful homemade meatballs baked in a sweet and tangy sauce made with jellied cranberry sauce and chili sauce, this will be your new favorite snack!
Homemade Cranberry Sauce Meatballs
I love cranberry sauce! Especially the slightly embarrassing all-American favorite jellied cranberry sauce that keeps the shape of the can. It is what I expect on Thanksgiving! This sweet and tart condiment that goes perfectly with roast turkey also can be used to make a wonderful BBQ sauce for meatballs. I’ll show you how!
While you’re here, be sure you don’t miss these other great recipes: Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting | Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo | Homemade Granola with Cranberries | Tater Tot Taco Casserole
The Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make Homemade Cranberry Sauce Meatballs:
- Ground beef
- Ground sausage – use a regular mild sausage
- Evaporated milk
- Chili sauce – be sure you’re using chili sauce. This is not the same as hot sauce or Thai chili sauce, etc. Chili sauce is essentially seasoned ketchup and you’ll find it near the ketchup in the condiments section of your grocery store.
- Jellied cranberry sauce
- Egg
- Onion
- Quick oats – it’s important to use quick cooking oats, not old fashioned rolled oats.
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic powder
- Chili powder
The full list of ingredients with measurements and instructions for this recipe are toward the end of this article in a printable format.
How to Make Homemade Cranberry Sauce Meatballs
STEP 1: Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
STEP 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ingredients for the meatballs. Shape the meat mixture into 1 ½ inch balls and place on a large baking sheet greased with non-stick cooking spray. Bake the meatballs for 15-20 minutes at 350ºF until browned and cooked through.
Here are the meatballs on the baking sheet before being baked:
STEP 3: While the meatballs are baking, prepare the cranberry BBQ sauce. In a medium sauce pan, combine the ingredients for the sauce, then cook over medium heat until the sauce begins to simmer. Cover with a lid and simmer on low for 10 minutes, stirring often.
STEP 4: When the meatballs are finished baking, remove them from the baking sheet and arrange into a 9×13 inch glass baking dish. Spoon the BBQ sauce over the meatballs.
STEP 5: Bake the meatballs at 350F for 10-15 minutes.
Can I Use Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce?
Jellied cranberry sauce is really the way to go for this recipe. It will melt down into the sauce perfectly and add just the right amount of flavor and liquid. Whole berry canned sauce could work in a pinch, but the texture will be altered. I do not recommend using homemade or deli-style cranberry sauce.
How to Turn the Meatballs into Sandwiches
One of my most favorite ways to eat Homemade Cranberry Sauce Meatballs is in a sandwich! Here are some options:
Sliders – Place one meatball on a slider size bun (you’ll probably want to eat several!).
Sub Roll – Cut a sub roll lengthwise and fill with meatballs. You may also want to add a few slices of deli-style provolone cheese and heat in the microwave until melted.
Hawaiian Rolls – Slice Hawaiian sweet rolls in half lengthwise to use as slider buns (this is my favorite way to eat these meatballs!).
Can I Cook the Meatballs in a Crockpot?
The meatballs themselves do need to be baked in the oven. Once they’re fully baked, you can place the meatballs into a slow cooker and pour the sauce over top. Heat on low until hot, 1-2 hours. After this, they can be held hot on the warm setting on your slow cooker.
Do be aware that the meatballs tend to fall apart easier in the slow cooker than if you just bake them.
Make-Ahead Homemade Cranberry Sauce Meatballs
Try making the meatballs the day before serving. Place the fully-cooked meatballs in the dish and pour the sauce over top. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake the next day. While the oven heats up to 350ºF, allow the dish to set out on the counter to warm up a bit, then bake at 350ºF for 10-15 minutes.
How to Store and Reheat the Leftovers
Keep the leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Another great way to store them is in a zip top bag. You can freeze the meatballs for up to three months.
To reheat, pour the meatballs into a glass baking dish, cover with foil, and bake at 350ºF for 10-15 minutes until hot.
Print
Homemade Cranberry Sauce Meatballs
- Total Time: 40
Description
Homemade Cranberry Sauce Meatballs are a delicious appetizer for the holiday season that can even be turned into a meal with slider rolls. Flavorful homemade meatballs baked in a sweet and tangy sauce made with jellied cranberry sauce and chili sauce, this will be your new favorite snack!
Ingredients
Meatballs:
1 pound extra lean ground beef
1 pound mild country sausage
1 cup quick oats
1/2 cup finely diced onion
1 egg
2/3 cup evaporated milk
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
Cranberry BBQ Sauce:
14 ounce can jellied cranberry sauce
12 ounce bottle chili sauce
2 tablespoons brown sugar, packed
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ingredients for the meatballs. Shape the meat mixture into 1 ½ inch balls and place on a large baking sheet greased with non-stick cooking spray. Bake the meatballs for 15-20 minutes at 350F until browned and cooked through.
- While the meatballs are baking, prepare the cranberry BBQ sauce. In a medium sauce pan, combine the ingredients for the sauce, then cook over medium heat until the sauce begins to simmer. Cover with a lid and simmer on low for 10 minutes, stirring often.
- When the meatballs are finished baking, remove them from the baking sheet and arrange into a 9×13 inch glass baking dish. Spoon the BBQ sauce over the meatballs.
- Bake the meatballs at 350F for 10-15 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 30
Let’s Talk!
After you make this Homemade Cranberry Sauce Meatballs recipe, come back and tell me how you like it! You can leave a comment and recipe rating in the comments section below. You can also click here to see this on Pinterest and leave a comment there or even your own picture. Another option would be to tag me on Instagram @MomNeedsChocolate. Can’t wait to hear from you!
MORE GREAT RECIPES
If you like this recipe, here are some other top Mom Needs Chocolate favorites to check out:
- The Best Chicken Fried Rice
- Homemade Granola with Cranberries
- Carrot Cake Roll with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Easy Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese
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